| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iran Delegation in Baghdad for Sadr-U.S. Mediation |
| 2004-04-14 |
| An official Iranian delegation arrived in Baghdad Wednesday to mediate between Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the United States, a Shi’ite political source said. The source said the delegation, led by senior diplomats, met Iraqi officials and was expected to travel soon to the holy city of Najaf, where U.S. forces are preparing for a possible offensive to capture or kill Sadr. Iran said the United States had sought its help in tackling the violence in Iraq. Sadr’s political foes say Iran helps finance the anti-U.S. cleric. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said the U.S. calls came through the Swiss embassy, which has covered U.S. interests in Tehran since Washington broke ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Iran’s most senior Shi’ite leaders have been keen to distance themselves from the uprising of Sadr supporters, although Sadr has support among Iraqi clerics living in Iran, such as Kathem al-Haeri. An envoy appointed by Sadr said the rebel cleric had proposed peace terms to avoid fighting between his militia and U.S. forces. Sadr’s Mehdi Army militia launched an uprising against the U.S.-led occupation in Shi’ite areas of Iraq last week. The U.S. military has vowed to kill or capture Sadr, the scion of a revered religious dynasty, and has brought 2,500 troops to the outskirts of Najaf, where Sadr is based. |
| Posted by:Lux |
| #8 I can't imagine that we really called them. If this is the act of a lone, Transi, engagement-whore, I hope heads roll. I smell Jimmy Carter... |
| Posted by: eLarson 2004-04-14 9:01:21 PM |
| #7 LH is correct. We'd love it if Sadr unambiguously becomes a tool of Iran in the public perception both in Iraq and the US. Fleeing there would help neither him nor the Iranians. But I'll settle for killing him today. |
| Posted by: JAB 2004-04-14 7:48:48 PM |
| #6 Latest report is that UK called the Iranians not us. In any case i can imagine lots to discuss with the Iranians. Like the consequences to them if things get any worse in Iraq. I also suspect that despite the "kill or capture" rhetoric, the US authorities would be delighted to see Al Sadr run to Iran, his tail between his legs, his militia shot up, and coalition authority reestablished in Najaf and Karbala. Of course you dont say that now, so when he runs you can play it as a compromise. And so you can extract something for the departure, instead of having to pay for it. Good grief we DO want to show Sadr is the weak horse, but we DONT want to shoot up Najaf to do it. Notice that army strat in the south so far has been raids, cautious attrition of Mehdi army. Gathering up Mehdi army members in Sadr City. While USMC in Fallujah plays ceasefires to give political cover to the IGC, while steadily attritting away the baddies there. Also talk that we want Sistani to deal the final blow to Sadr, not us. And this whole thing of sons of grand ayatollahs going in to talk to Sadr - about what? Conditions for keeping their dads alive? Conditions for his safe departure?? Disarmament of his gang?? Theres alot going on, and going in shooting people up is only a small part of that. As Don Rumsfeld used to say, there are things you'll see, and things you wont see. I suspect a lot of whats happening now is things we arent seeing. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-04-14 5:42:16 PM |
| #5 What's to negotiate? How many rounds of what caliber the snipers pump into Sadr's worthless carcass? Remember folks, this is the guy who used his newfound freedom of speech (purchased with American blood) to immediately proclaim that 9-11 was a "miracle from God." This ungrateful little turd needs to be scraped off of our collective bootheel as we march through Fallujah. Should Sadr be taken alive, that will be the real miracle from God. Tell the Iranian delegation to fly it straight up their shorts along with all of the insurgents they are smuggling into Iraq. If anyone allows Sadr to escape justice, they should answer for it in open court. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-04-14 2:52:56 PM |
| #4 "The U.S. military has vowed to kill or capture Sadr.." Negotiate all you want Turban heads. Sadr is going down and WTF are the Iranians even being invited to Iraq anyways. I hope they get the message that they may be next loud and clear. |
| Posted by: Bill Nelson 2004-04-14 1:03:12 PM |
| #3 look under the seats and in the baggage when they depart back to Tehran...see if there's an extra fat bearded guy with a black turban sneaking out.. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-04-14 12:01:43 PM |
| #2 I can't imagine that we really called them. If this is the act of a lone, Transi, engagement-whore, I hope heads roll. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-04-14 11:51:12 AM |
| #1 what a load of crap. first they instigate this shit then come in to mediate! tells me they are pulling back support from sadr..also heard reports a rep of sadr is seeking direct neg with the us military.....also points some divisions within the iranian govt. |
| Posted by: Dan 2004-04-14 10:57:36 AM |